Semiotic Mediation and Mental Development in Pluralistic Societies: Some Implications for Tomorrow's Schooling

The enormous reach of Vygotsky's theoretical approach to mental development derives from the very concept of semiotic mediation. What makes the concept so powerful is the fact that it establishes connections across some of the most important areas of human social existence. More specifically, it foregrounds a fundamental relationship between mental functions and discourse within the context of social/cultural activity. This, in turn, invites us to explore the relations between the disciplines of psychology, semiotics and sociology. Reflection on these interconnections suggests that if we wish to fully understand the implications of Vygotsky's claims about the sociogenesis of human mind, then on the one hand we must be willing to ignore the conventionally accepted boundaries erected in the name of specialisation across these and many other disciplines, and on the other hand we must be prepared to probe deeper into the significance of the claims made by this powerful theory